Round 4, Le Mans. You read that right. LE MANS. That place where they’ve been racing for almost a century. The race was to be held on the shorter Le Mans Bugatti circuit (built in 1966), but still includes the final and first three corners of the famous Circuit de la Sarthe. (Bugatti layout on the left, Circuit de la Sarthe on the right) 

Le Mans is another track that holds a special place in my heart. Back when I was 10 years old, I went to visit the Circuit Alain Prost, a go-kart track that sits just next to the entrance of the Le Mans Paddock area. On that day, an open test session was being held on the track. My dad and I decided to go have a look. That was my first time at a real race track, and my first time seeing cars fly past me. Sitting in the grandstands on the main straight, I’d never seen anything go that fast, or heard anything that loud. I could feel the vibrations in my bones. We walked around the entire track, corner after corner. I was in awe, and just lost track of time. We spent so long trackside, watching the cars go past again, and again, and again. 

Free practice, finally. Two months without a race, and we were finally back. And what a place to be. The summer break was starting to get to me. Although the layout may seem a bit dull, the Bugatti circuit is quite technically interesting. Every corner has a little bit of banking, but the amount changes from corner to corner. So every corner requires a different approach, despite looking very similar. That banking also allows you to brake a lot later and carry much more speed into them. However, the excitement was soon to be overshadowed by frustration. Private practice was held on an open track day, which meant that we were mixed with slower GT3s, TCRs, and road cars, some of which were almost 30 seconds slower per lap. There were around 25 cars on what was only a 4-kilometer long circuit, which made getting a clear lap in almost impossible. Both test days were plagued by slower traffic, making it impossible to get a single clean lap, but at least I’d get my chance in qualifying. 

Wrong. I wasn’t able to get a single clean lap in. I’d either lose time behind other cars or have times deleted for track limits. 

Race day. Miguel makes a perfect get-away. Since we were starting from pole, all we had to do to keep the lead was not make any mistakes. Miguel did just that, and was quick in the process. After about 13 laps, the race saw its first full-course-yellow. We seized the opportunity to complete the first of our three mandatory pit stops. When we rejoined the track, we were down to 3rd, but Miguel did a good job to get us back up into the lead of the race, before handing the car over to me.

It took me a few laps to get settled into a rhythm. The traffic on the opening laps of my stint didn’t help. But as soon as I found my feet, I really started to enjoy myself. I was getting a few clear laps in a row and then would have to deal with traffic for a lap or two. It was the first time of the weekend that I was getting some clear laps in. 

Lap after lap I was making up positions again, climbing back up to second place, behind the sister car, the number 77. I was gaining on them lap after lap, but couldn’t safely get past. I didn’t want to take any unnecessary risks. One silly mistake by me could mean both cars out of the race. I stuck behind them for a couple of laps, until they moved over and let me past going into Garage-Vert. I really respect the team spirit that Alessandro showed by handing over the lead. He knew that we were a tad quicker, but most importantly that we were in the fight for the championship. Not every racing driver would give up the lead for their teammates. From then on, it was smooth sailing to the last hour, to hand the car over to Mathis. 

Mathis, as always, did a tidy job, and brought the car across the line to what would be our fourth “grand slam” of the season, and the first-ever 1-2 finish for Team Virage. I never even imagined that this would have been possible. And it wouldn’t be if it weren’t for the immense effort that every single member of this team has been putting in for the last two seasons. I can’t thank them enough. 

All that’s left is to take the final W in Estoril. And we’re ready.